Brownfield sites across Stroud district are being transformed into affordable housing

Construction is well underway on three brownfield sites  in the south of the district, where Stroud District Council is delivering high-quality, energy-efficient affordable homes for local people.

Following the award of £11.75 million in contracts earlier this year to construction company Speller Metcalfe, work has now started on all three developments.

At Cambridge Avenue in Dursley, construction began in March 2025 on 13 homes for social rent, comprising six two-bedroom and seven three-bedroom houses. The development is scheduled for completion in March 2026.These homes are being offered at social rent, which is set using a government formula and is typically the lowest-cost housing option. This has been made possible thanks to funding from Homes England.

At the Gloucester Street/Bradley Street site in Wotton-under-Edge, work started in March 2025 on eight homes for affordable rent – five two-bedroom and three three-bedroom houses – with completion expected in May 2026.

At Glebelands in Cam,  enabling works began in June 2025 on 23 homes for a mix of affordable rent and shared ownership. The scheme includes eight one-bedroom flats (four of which are designed for older people), ten two-bedroom houses, and five three-bedroom houses. These homes are due to be completed in winter 2026.

Homes offered at affordable rent are priced at no more than 80% of the local market rent. This helps support the financial viability of the sites and reflects the higher energy efficiency standards being delivered. Both social and affordable rents are significantly lower than private market rents, helping to provide secure and accessible housing for local residents.

These developments will provide a total of 44 new homes, all designed to high environmental standards with air source heat pumps, EPC A ratings, solar PV panels, bird and bat boxes, hedgehog highways, and permeable paving.

The development at Cambridge Avenue is being delivered with £1.82million support from the Homes England Affordable Homes Programme 2021-26 and £371,000 towards the demolition of the three sites from the Brownfield Land Release Fund (BLRF2).

Once nearing completion, the new homes for rent will be advertised through Homeseeker Plus, the choice-based lettings system used by Stroud District Council and its housing partners.

Cllr Gary Luff, Chair of Stroud District Council’s Housing Committee, said: “We’re pleased to see strong progress on these important developments.

“These homes will not only provide much-needed affordable housing for local people, but they also reflect our commitment to sustainability and biodiversity. By regenerating our housing stock that is no longer fit for purpose, increasing density where we can and incorporating high environmental standards, we’re helping to create thriving, resilient communities for the future.”

Mark Eaton, divisional director at Speller Metcalfe, said: “We’re proud to be working in partnership with Stroud District Council to bring these much-needed affordable homes to fruition. Regenerating brownfield land into high-quality, energy-efficient housing is at the heart of our approach to sustainable construction. These developments will not only provide lasting benefit to local communities, but also demonstrate what can be achieved when environmental responsibility and social value go hand in hand.”

The project supports several objectives in SDC’s Council Plan, including to build affordable, energy efficient homes and deliver key regeneration sites across the district, particularly on brownfield sites.